Home decorating can be tricky business. Even with the best of intentions, it’s easy to commit serious decor faux pas that make your home look dated, disjointed, or downright ugly. From poor paint choices to furniture fails, many seemingly minor decorating mistakes can have a major impact on the overall aesthetic.
Steer clear of these all-too-common interior design blunders that can turn your home into a total eyesore. With some savvy styling updates and easy fixes, you can banish any decorating disasters for good. Learn from these lessons in bad taste, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a beautiful and stylish home you’ll be proud to show off.
Using the Wrong Color Scheme
Color is one of the most powerful tools in home decor. The right color palette can make a space feel serene and soothing, crisp and modern, or bold and vibrant. However, the wrong colors can ruin the look and feel of a room.
Some of the most common color scheme mistakes include:
- Too many colors: Stick to 3 core colors at most for a cohesive look. Using too many paint colors or furnishings in clashing hues looks chaotic.
- Off trend colors: Styles come and go. Don’t use outdated color combinations like avocado green and orange or bright neon hues from the 80s. Opt for versatile, sophisticated palettes.
- Unbalanced colors: Coordinate colors in the same tonal family for visual harmony. Don’t pair a bright accent wall with pale neutrals. The contrast is jarring.
- Unflattering colors: Know which hues work for your lighting. Dark saturated colors can look dreary and cave-like in a room with little natural light.
The fix? Evaluate the size of your space and lighting to select an appropriate, cohesive color scheme. Neutrals like white, beige and gray decorated with shades from one vibrant accent color work beautifully in most homes.
Hanging Art Too High
Where you place artwork impacts its visual effect in a room. Hanging pieces too high is a very common decorating mistake. It throws off the proportions in the space and makes the art feel disconnected from the rest of the design.
Aim to hang art so it sits at eye level. Pieces will have the most visual impact when they are in your direct line of sight. As a general guideline:
- For standing art like paintings, the center should be 60-66 inches above the floor.
- For seated art like photographs, the center should be about 40-45 inches from the ground.
- Adjust up or down a few inches based on your height and furniture.
Additionally, make sure framed pieces are well-balanced over furniture. Art should be 2-10 inches above a table, dresser or couch. Watch out for hanging pieces too far away or too close to furnishings. This makes decor look awkward and disjointed. Get the positioning just right, and your art will enhance any space.
Cluttering With Knick-Knacks
Decorating with sentimental souvenirs or collectibles is fine. But cluttering every surface with tchotchkes and trinkets screams “yard sale clutter” not “interior design.” Cramming shelves and tabletops with decorative items looks messy, not homey.
Edit your knick-knacks and keep only your very favorite pieces on display. Group collections together for impact, and store the rest out of sight. A few meaningful items say “curated” while dozens of figurines and frames say “hoarding problem.”
For tabletops, follow the “flat surface rule” – no more than 25% of any table or dresser should be covered. This creates balance and allows room to breathe. Never place decorative items in front of windows – it blocks the light source. Lastly, dust regularly. Pack away any décor that just collects dust; they don’t enhance the look if covered in a furry film!
Using the Wrong Area Rug Size
Area rugs can warm up a space visually and physically underfoot. But the wrong rug size can make a room look disjointed and awkward.
Too small: A rug should be large enough that front legs of surrounding furniture sit atop the rug. Rugs too small for a space leave furniture floating off the edges, chopping up the flow.
Too large: On the other hand, rugs too big for a room swallow all furnishings, looking out of place. Allow for 18-24 inches of visible floor between rug edges and walls.
Wrong proportions: Even the right overall size won’t work if proportions are off. Rectangular rugs work best, parallel with longest wall and extending under front legs of primary furniture.
To find perfect area rug sizes, measure the open floor area of your space. For living rooms, rugs should be 1.5-2 feet shorter than the wall-to-wall length and width. For dining rooms, rugs should be 12-18 inches from walls on all sides with room for chair legs all around.
Hanging Window Treatments Wrong
Window treatments complete a room, framing views and adding privacy. But poorly hung curtains or drapes can throw off the entire look:
Too low: For maximum ceiling height, mount curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible. Hanging rods halfway down the wall cuts the room in half visually.
Too narrow: For proper light blocking, rods should extend 3-4 inches past the window frame on both sides. Anything less and light leaks around edges.
Too high: Don’t mount rods above the window frame itself. This makes windows look awkwardly small. Opt for right below the crown molding or ceiling.
Incorrect placement: Spacing multiple rods evenly looks wrong. Stick to using just one rod per window, hung from above.
Measure carefully and hang all rods and curtains in the exact same position for windows and doors in a room. Consistent height and alignment polish the look.
Choosing the Wrong Coffee Table Height
Coffee tables tie seating together in living rooms. But the wrong coffee table height throws off the room’s ergonomics completely.
Too short – A coffee table should be 1-3 inches below the seats it faces. Any lower, and sitting is uncomfortable. You need room for your knees when sitting!
Too tall – But avoid exceeding seat height, which makes a surface unusable for drinks, books, etc. Optimal height leaves just enough room for knees while still being functional.
Measuring – Get the ideal height by measuring average seated height (around 18 inches) and allowing for legroom below. Adjust for your furniture heights.
Proportion is also key. Rectangular tables should be about half as long as the sofa. And leave 15-18 inches around all sides for circulation. Don’t cramp the space.
Skipping Window Treatments in Bedrooms
Bedrooms need window dressings for both aesthetics and function. Bare windows make a bedroom feel stark and unfinished. And uncovered windows mean no blackout options for sleep.
Floor length curtains add softness and warp windows into a cohesive wall. Layer sheers behind to filter light. Opt for blackout lined curtains or opaque shades to darken for sleep.
Elevate bedrooms from boring to beautiful with layers of light draping, textured panels, or romanic billowing sheers. Mix drapery styles and heights for dimension. Just don’t leave windows bare.
No headboard – Headboards anchor beds and make bedrooms feel complete. But skipping a headboard leaves visual gaps above mattresses. The wall looks blank; beds feel ungrounded.
DIY options – You don’t need to splurge on a full upholstered headboard. Simply mounting a repurposed door, an architectural fragment, or a basic wood plank behind beds works wonders.
Add dimension – Place beds a few inches from walls for a shadow gap. Hang art layered with sconces centered above beds. Add side tables, remaining mindful of leaving room to pass through on both sides.
Buying a Bed Without Thinking About Size
Beds define bedrooms. But people often buy mattresses and beds without considering room size and proportions. Too large or small, and beds throw off the entire layout.
Measure carefully before bed shopping. Leave a minimum of 30 inches clearance around beds to pass through. Scale mattress size relative to room footprint.
In small rooms, opt for twin, full, or queen beds. Kings overwhelm and eat up square footage. In spacious master suites, splurge on a statement king bed with plush bedding.
Use furnishings to balance beds. Flank larger beds with substantial nightstands and headboard visual weight. Float smaller beds away from walls for impact. Scale lamps, bedding, and other accents accordingly.
Skipping the Headboard Altogether
Headboards give beds a finished, grounded look in bedrooms. But many homeowners skip the headboard when outfitting beds. This leaves visual gaps and looks sloppy.
No headboard – Headboards anchor beds and make bedrooms feel complete. But skipping a headboard leaves visual gaps above mattresses. The wall looks blank; beds feel ungrounded.
DIY options – You don’t need to splurge on a full upholstered headboard. Simply mounting a repurposed door, an architectural fragment, or a basic wood plank behind beds works wonders.
Add dimension – Place beds a few inches from walls for a shadow gap. Hang art layered with sconces centered above beds. Add side tables, remaining mindful of leaving room to pass through on both sides.
Picking Impractical Fabrics
Fabric selection makes a huge difference in how furniture wears over time. The wrong textiles show stains, wear quickly, or pill up into an eyesore.
Watch out for:
- Delicate silks and velvets in high-traffic areas. These fabric snag and crush easily under daily use.
- Fuzzy chenille or boucle upholstery on seating. These fabrics look dingy and matted quickly.
- Trendy white upholstery with kids and pets. Without scotch-guarding, white fabric is impossible to keep clean.
- Low-pile berber or flatweave rugs in dining rooms. Spills and chair legs grind down these fibers over time.
Seek out durable, high-quality natural fibers like wool, linen, and cotton or easy-clean microfibers for family-friendly, pet-friendly homes. Test fabric swatches for stain resistance. Invest in pieces that will last.
Covering Floors with Wrong Flooring
Flooring makes a substantial impact aesthetically and functionally in homes. Covering floors with the wrong materials for a space spells disaster down the road:
- Plush white carpet in high traffic areas or kids’ rooms guarantee instant staining and matting.
- Gleaming hardwoods in bathrooms lead to damage from moisture exposure over time.
- Slippery marble tile floors in entryways mean accidents waiting to happen.
- Thin laminate floors on upper levels create noise complaints from downstairs neighbors.
Research flooring options thoroughly before installing materials. Weigh factors like acoustics, comfort, moisture-resistance, and durability for the needs of each space. Invest in quality materials suited for their function. It pays off long-term.
Displaying Collections Haphazardly
Collections from books to plants to artwork tell stories about homeowners. But simply lining trinkets up on a mantel or cramming bookcases creates “visual clutter.”
Edit collections, keep only your very favorites, and group items in odd numbers for visual impact. Arrange meaningfully, angling items and playing with heights.
Use risers, shelves, and picture ledges to stagger groups. Add accent lighting to create vignettes and highlight special pieces.
Take time curating mini-galleries of your most beloved items. The end result tells a story and reflects your personality, instead of just creating a jumbled mess.
Ignoring Room Proportions
Even perfectly lovely furnishings can look “off” if the proportions are wrong relative to room dimensions. This makes spaces feel disjointed.
Stick to the 60-30-10 rule – 60% larger elements like sofas, 30% medium items like chairs and tables, 10% accents. Larger rooms suit chunky furniture; tight spaces demand more slender profiles.
Floating oversized furnishings away from walls prevents bulky items from overwhelming. Scale lighter accents like rugs, lamps and artwork to balance.
Measure carefully, allowing adequate space to move through the room. Traffic lanes should be a minimum of 36-48 inches wide in main areas.
Overlooking Ceiling Height
Ceiling height impacts everything from furniture proportions to light fixtures to window treatments. But it’s easy to overlook until decorating goes awry.
In rooms with dramatic double-height ceilings, embrace the vertical space. Layer lengthy drapes, hang oversized pendant lighting, and size furniture to proportions.
With low, cramped ceilings under 8 feet tall, opt for slender legged furnishings and low-profile beds. Visually expand space using mirrors and glass-topped tables.
Standard 9-foot ceilings offer flexibility. Just don’t overstuff the space or use furnishings intended for soaring vertical space. Scale pieces to the room.
Picking the Wrong Furniture Layout
Unpractical furniture layouts disrupt flow and make rooms feel choppy. Avoid these common layout pitfalls:
- Blocking entrances – Never place furnishings directly in the path of entryways and doorways. Allow ample circulation space.
- Obstructing pathways – Leave ample walkways of at least 36-48 inches so people don’t bottleneck.
- Cutting off conversation – Face seating toward one another to promote conversation. Avoid floating furniture aimlessly.
- Disconnecting elements – Sectionals and other large pieces should connect to define conversation groups.
- Floating too far apart – Just a few inches should separate furnishings. Anything more looks disjointed.
Test layouts using blue tape on the floor before purchasing pieces. Ensure practical spacing, flow, and conversational groupings.
Choosing Impractical Fabrics
Fabric selection makes a huge difference in how furniture wears over time. The wrong textiles show stains, wear quickly, or pill up into an eyesore.
Watch out for:
- Delicate silks and velvets in high-traffic areas. These fabric snag and crush easily under daily use.
- Fuzzy chenille or boucle upholstery on seating. These fabrics look dingy and matted quickly.
- Trendy white upholstery with kids and pets. Without scotch-guarding, white fabric is impossible to keep clean.
- Low-pile berber or flatweave rugs in dining rooms. Spills and chair legs grind down these fibers over time.
Seek out durable, high-quality natural fibers like wool, linen, and cotton or easy-clean microfibers for family-friendly, pet-friendly homes. Test fabric swatches for stain resistance. Invest in pieces that will last.
Mixing and Matching Furniture Styles
Blending furnishings from different time periods lends character to homes. But incorporating too many clashing styles looks haphazard, not collected.
Stick to one overarching style – modern, traditional, rustic, etc. – and mix varying details within that aesthetic. For example, antique furniture looks intentional alongside streamlined upholstery in a transitional blend.
Browse designer portfolios to learn how to tastefully blend styles before purchasing. Add layers gradually over time to allow the look to evolve.
Above all, ensure consistent quality across pieces. A cheap flea market find thrown in with luxury items sticks out in a bad way. Curate your style mix thoughtfully.
Hanging Art Too Small
Small artwork gets lost on expansive walls and looks like an afterthought. When art is too tiny for its space, the room feels bare and unfinished.
As a rule of thumb, artwork should be at least 2/3 the width of the furniture below it. A 12-inch print may look great over a console. But it diminishes on a large wall.
For big statement walls, combine multiple large-scale paintings clustered together like a gallery wall. Or invest in one oversized showstopper piece.
Avoid skimping on art for tall walls and vast rooms. Size it to the space or the room will fall flat. Big spaces call for big art.
Cluttering Entryways
Entryways prone to clutter overwhelm guests from the moment they cross the threshold. Contain shoes, bags, kids’ gear, and outerwear out of sight.
Invest in closed coat closets and a bench or cubbies for hiding clutter. Never pile items openly in entryways.
For open floor plans, place a console and art near the entryway, not clutter. Visually define the foyer without junk.
Add a large area rug to anchor the space. Always keep pathways wide and clear. A cluttered entryway sets the wrong tone.
Ignoring Scent
Scent impacts the overall feel of home interiors profoundly, yet it’s easy to overlook. Unappealing odors or lack of fragrance makes a bad impression.
Catch bad smells at their source with air purifiers, trash cans with lids, clean pet areas, and proper kitchen ventilation.
Infuse inviting scents using fresh flowers, simmering spices on the stove, natural wax melt warmers, and scented candles (in ventilated rooms only).
Display bowls of potpourri or sachets in entryways and bedrooms. Refresh and vary home fragrances seasonally.
Going Overboard With Trends
What’s trendy today looks dated tomorrow. Adopting every fleeting trend creates whiplash when styles change.
Scan designer portfolios to learn which trends have real staying power vs. flashy fads. Consider timeless classics in finishes like bronze metals and natural wood grains.
Incorporate trendy accent pieces as pops of color and pattern instead of overhauling. Trendy dining chairs inject personality without the commitment of a built-in hutch.
Focus on quality over quantity. One statement light fixture goes further than trendy throw pillows galore. Upcycle classics with new knobs or coats of color.
Picking Unsuitable Flooring Finishes
Homeowners often pick flooring they love aesthetically without factoring in practicality. The wrong floor finish causes major
